Media Release
Date: 21 July 2014
Training post will help nurses return to acute care setting
The Royal United Hospital in Bath is introducing a 'Return to Acute Care' programme, which will offer nurses with previous experience in an acute care setting the opportunity to get back onto the wards.
Last week, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidelines for hospitals on nurse staffing levels and the quality of nursing care on hospital wards. The RUH has already committed to strengthening its nursing team – and the 'Return to Acute Care' programme will form one part in helping to achieve this.
The 'Return to Acute Care' training programme is a unique and exciting opportunity for registered nurses currently working in non-hospital settings to develop their existing knowledge and skills in order to move back into acute care. The post is a six month training post, but is offered on an employed basis – so nurses who take up the opportunity will receive up-to-date training whilst being paid.
The training will allow the nurses involved to focus on the patient journey within an acute setting, from admission through to discharge, but will also encourage staff to draw on existing skills and experience gained from other care sectors. The RUH has a supply of newly trained nurses each year and this training programme will enable the hospital to create a good balance between new skills and experience within its nursing team. The programme will consist of theory- and practice-based structured learning, supported by experienced mentors.
Over a 6 month period, those on the course will be brought up to date with the latest changes and best practice in nursing so that they become competent and confident working in an acute area of the hospital.
The programme has been developed by Heads of Nursing for Surgery and Medicine, Sharon Bonson and Jo Miller, in close collaboration with Senior Sisters, the Learning and Development team and Maria Wallen, Lead Nurse for Workforce Planning.
Matron Sue Leathers, has been involved in putting the course together and said: "It's a very good way of getting skilled nurses back into the heart of the hospital setting. Nurses joining the programme will already have all the essential skills, so the training programme is all about getting them up to date with any changes that have happened since they last worked on a hospital ward. The acute setting can be unpredictable and fast paced which brings with it many challenges and rewards and this is an exciting time to be joining our nursing team."
The course is open to all registered nurses from a range of backgrounds – from nurses working in GP surgeries or nursing homes, to nurses who may have changed careers altogether. Nurses who successfully complete the course will be supported into permanent positions.
The first course is due to commence on 29th September 2014 and the hospital is now looking for registered nurses who would like to apply for a place on the programme. Anyone interested in the programme can find out more by contacting Maria Wallen, Lead Nurse, Workforce Planning on 01225 821792.
More details can also be found on the NHS Jobs website: www.jobs.nhs.uk. Search for 'Return to Acute' or by job reference: 427-A2012JC242
Note to editors:
- A nursing recruitment open day will be held at the RUH on Saturday 26 July 2014. The event, which will be held in the Atrium at the main entrance to the hospital from 10am until 2pm, will give nurses an opportunity to discover more about what it's like working as part of the nursing team at the RUH.